RIDGECREST, California
William D. “Bill” Stein, 93, of Ridgecrest, California, formerly of Seymour, passed away Monday, March 28, 2016, at West Los Angeles California Veterans Home.
Born Sept. 24, 1922, in Seymour, he was the son of Sylvester and Bonnie Belle Daniels Stein, both of whom preceded him in death. In June of 1946, he married Lula Naomi Stroud in Indianapolis, who also preceded him in death.
In 1977, he moved to Key Largo, Florida, where he loved the warm climate and view of the water. In 2007, Bill and his wife moved to Ridgecrest, California, to be near one of their daughters.
After graduating from Shields High School, he worked with his father in their plumbing business. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served as a hospital corpsman, ending up in the South Pacific on the Battleship USS South Dakota. In 1945, he participated with the 3rd Fleet medical rescue party in the liberation and treatment of prisoners of war from Japanese prisoner of war camps in the Tokyo area.
Bill was self-employed for most of his life. He was active in the Seymour business community where he owned and operated Wholesale Distributors Inc. and later Stein’s Trailer Sales and Service for 15 years until his retirement in 1979. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and enjoyed traveling with his wife, Naomi.
Survivors include his six children, Daniel W. (Judy) Stein, Debbie Burger, Denise (Rick) Kirchner, Dr. David W. (Marilyn) Stein, Dennis (Lisa) Stein and Dana (Brad) Ballard; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Beside his parents and his wife of 61 years, he was preceded in death by his sister, Mary C. Stein, and a grandson, Colin Ballard.
A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Voss Chapel. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery with full military graveside rites conducted by VFW Post 1925, American Legion Post 89, Disabled Veterans 47, Korean and Vietnam Veterans, all of Seymour.
Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. until time of service Saturday.
Memorials may be made to an animal shelter of choice or donor’s choice of charities.